Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

You may need Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance for selected science and technology programmes, depending on your nationality. Your offer letter will say if you need an ATAS certificate for your programme.

What is ATAS?

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is used by the UK government to prevent the spread of knowledge and skills used to develop weapons of mass destruction and associated technology.

If you are studying certain science and technology programmes, and you are of a relevant nationality, you will need to submit the ATAS clearance certificate with your visa application. 

Do I need an ATAS certificate?

Certain applicants (excluding exempt nationalities) will need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) before they make a visa application. This is known as the ‘ATAS requirement’.

ATAS applies to certain programmes with a postgraduate exit level. The ATAS requirement and ATAS condition mainly applies to research programmes (PhD/doctorates/master’s by research). There is a very limited list of ATAS attracting CAH codes if studying a taught Masters programme. 

Your offer letter and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) will confirm your CAH code details. It is your responsibility to check your offer letter very carefully and check if you require ATAS clearance for your visa and/or before the start of your programme.

If your postgraduate programme or research subject requires it, you will need an ATAS certificate:

  • as part of your visa application (for some UK visa categories, such as the sponsored Student visa route)
  • to register and be allowed to study on your programme, where you have limited visa permission to stay/immigration status (this ATAS study condition applies to almost all UK visa categories)
  • if your programme details change
  • you will need an ATAS certificate for some undergraduate courses that lead to a postgraduate exit qualification (an integrated master’s*)

Taught Master's CAH codes:

  • CAH10-03-07 - Materials Science
  • CAH07-01-01 - Physics (including Nuclear Physics)
  • CAH10-01-02 - Mechanical Engineering
  • CAH10-01-04 - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
  • CAH10-01-09 - Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
  • CAH10-03-01 - Minerals Technology
  • CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology

Exempt Nationalities: 

The following nationalities are exempt from ATAS. 

This includes if you are a dual national with only one of your nationalities listed. However, you must have a valid passport from an exempt country listed above and a valid UK visa linked to it.

  • Europeans (EU)
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Iceland
  • Japan
  • Lichtenstein
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Republic of Korea
  • Singapore
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America 

Exempt nationalities for ATAS

You also do not need to apply for an ATAS certificate if:

  • you have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK (settled in the UK), or
  • you are exempt from UK immigration control

ATAS application user guidance

How to apply for ATAS

The CAH3 code

The Common Aggregate Hierarchy (CAH3) provides a standardised hierarchical grouping of subject codes and terms. Some of these codes identify programmes that require ATAS. You can check your offer letter for your CAH3 code.

If you started your programme before 2019 and you need to apply for a new ATAS certificate due to a change in circumstances, you will need to contact your School for a new CAH3 code.

Find more information about the CAH3 code

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